The school has grown in size and scope at such a dramatic rate that where else except outer space could ODU celebrate its 2013 Homecoming? “ODUniverse — Journey to the Blue Galaxy” is the theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.

The week is filled with cultural activities, community service events, a concert, a parade and of course the annual Homecoming football game, against Liberty University, on Saturday, Oct. 5.

“While it’s always great to see alumni there is an extra level of energy that comes naturally with Homecoming week,” said Dana Allen, ODU’s assistant vice president of alumni relations. “We’re hoping everyone comes back to the center of the ODU Universe and participates in something that fits for them!”

The list of activities includes a surprise announcement in Webb Center at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. The entire campus community is invited.

The build-up to Homecoming week has already started. Every Friday through the month of September, charity t-shirt swaps are being hosted around campus. Students, staff and faculty can exchange a t-shirt, which will be donated, for a shirt with an “I love spirit Fridays” ODU logo.

ODU colors can be worn at sporting events throughout Homecoming week, including the first home events for Old Dominion teams in Conference USA, the school’s new athletic conference.

On Friday, Oct. 4, ODU will officially begin Conference USA play with a soccer doubleheader at the ODU Soccer Complex. The Lady Monarchs will take on East Carolina at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s team tangling with the University of Kentucky (an associate member of C-USA in soccer) at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the second game. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for youth.

On Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m., fans can take a look at this year’s Lady Monarch basketball team in the Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration Building with an open practice. Parking for that event will be restricted to the parking garages near the Constant Center due to football parking that day. The ODU Rowing team will take on the University of North Carolina and The Naval Academy at 11 a.m. on the Lafayette River. At noon, the ODU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will be held in the Ted Constant Convocation Center Hall of Fame Lobby. For tickets, call 683-3359

Saturday’s sold-out football game against Liberty, the football program’s 33rd straight sellout, will kick off at 6 p.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field. The game is on Cox Digital channel 114 in Hampton Roads, and can be heard on ESPN 94.1 FM radio in Hampton Roads, 100.4 FM in Richmond and 104.5 FM and SuperTalk AM in the Lynchburg area. Fans are asked to wear either Blue or White attire to the game, based on their ticketed section in the stadium. Game tickets indicate the section color, and fans can reference the attached chart. For a color-coded seating diagram CLICK HERE.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Lady Monarchs host the University of Texas-San Antonio in soccer at 1 p.m., and the field hockey team hosts Georgetown at 2 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Athletic Complex on Powhatan Avenue.